L-systems

Posted on Aug 2015

L-systems are named after Dr. Aristid
Lindenmayer. Dr. Lindenmayer created a formal grammar to
describe how plants grow. It is a parallel
rewriting system developed in the 60's. Dr. Lindenmayer.
Dr. Lindenmayer, a renowed botanist/biologist
collaborated with Dr. Przemyslaw Prusinkiewicz.
Dr. Prusinkiewicz, a Computer Science professor
received the 1997 SIGGRAPH Computer Graphics
Achievement Award for his work.

There are a number of sites describing
L-systems and they have become a part of Sidefx's Houdini
software. The Algorithmic
Beauty of Plants is an excellent place to start if you want
to learn more aobut L-systems. I would also
encourage you to visit algorithmicbotany.org
to study the continuing research.

There are also excellent descriptions in Sidefx's
documentation regarding the use of L-systems in Houdini.
You will notice if you have not explored L-systems, that the
symbols have directions for directing a turtle to move and draw
(turtle graphics). The list of symbols is fairly extensive and it
takes time to become familiar with how to control L-systems.

L-systems can be used for plant modeling and a variety of other
uses. Below are two fractals produced in Houdini by expressing the
premise and rules for their self similar pattern.